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Williams confident of 'correct' squad numbers for new season

Luke Williams during Swansea's friendly win over Rio AveImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
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Luke Williams was appointed Swansea head coach in January 2024

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Head coach Luke Williams says he's confident Swansea City will have the "correct numbers" in his squad for the Championship this season.

Williams has seen more outgoings than new arrivals this summer, with 13 players leaving and only four coming in.

The Swans kick off their Championship campaign at Middlesbrough next Saturday.

"I think we haven’t finished building the squad and I think there are going to be a number of other clubs in the same situation as us," said Williams.

"But we’re confident we are going to have the correct numbers but also the quality we really desire as well, when we finish building this squad.

"We’re confident that we can put a very strong side out [against Middlesbrough] but of course one game is fine to put a group of players together, over the course of the season you’re going to need more reinforcements than that and that’s what will happen.

"I think expectations can be dangerous, so you try to control what you can control and trust the people who you work with that things are going to get done.

"We have to try to be calm and do the best we can and trust things will be done in correct way".

The latest player to be linked with the Championship side is Stoke City forward Tyrese Campbell.

Campbell was released by Stoke City at the end of last season having scored 36 goals in 164 appearances for the Potters.

"I know the player, most Championship coaches are going to be a big fan of the player," added Williams.

"But he also has some very delicate circumstances at the moment that we need to be respectful of, so I think it’s best not to talk about that too much at the moment".

Meanwhile, French trialist Ruben Providence came off during the friendly win against Portuguese side Rio Ave.

The 23-year-old is a former France under-19 international and could be set for a longer stay in South Wales.

"We had the opportunity for him to train and be involved in this game, we barely had a chance to look at him properly, but now we’ve seen him in a good game and he showed some real quality which we expected as a high level player," said Williams.

"Some really good physicality and good quality with the ball as well.

"We have a chance to spend a bit of more time with him and see what the outcome is there".